3 Of The Best Cocktails To Commemorate 2019

With 2020 just a couple days away, I couldn’t help but to look back at the amazing year we had in 2019. We hit some major milestones. In late 2018/early 2019 we reached our FI (Financial Independence) number (which means having saved and invested 25 times expected annual expenses.) By the beginning of February, we had both quit our jobs and “retired”. We sold everything that wouldn’t fit in our suitcases and moved to Spain. It has been quite the year and definitely deserves some celebratory acknowledgment. Here are the cocktails I chose to represent our 2019.

FI’ied Spritzer (Green Chartreuse Spritzer)

What better way to represent reaching our savings and investment goals than a cocktail with hues of green and a good helping of muddled mint. I knew I wanted something unique, sophisticated, and delicious without being overly sweet. In my search, I ran into Chartreuse, which I had never heard of before. It’s an herbal liqueur made by Monks in the Southern mountains of France, with 130 different herbs, plants, and flowers. The exact recipe is top secret. The initial recipe was presented to the monks in 1605 and was meant to be a medicine named the “elixir of long life”. Since I hadn’t had Chartreuse before, I decided to go to Cafe de las Horas and ask for a customized drink vs buying an entire bottle myself. It met all my expectations. It was delicious, not too sweet, definitely unique, and gorgeous. At 55% ABV this green elixir is not for the faint of heart, so proceed with caution.

• 1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves, muddled with 1 ounce fresh lime juice
• 2 ounces Green Chartreuse
• 4 ounces Cava
• Ice, as needed
• 1 ounces soda water, optional
• Stirred
• 1 fresh lime wheel, garnish
• fresh mint, garnish

Riding Into The Sunset (Aperol Spritzer)

I had a few ideas to commemorate quitting our jobs and “retiring”. The term Riding Into The Sunset came to mind, which lead me to cocktails the color(s) of sunsets. I considered a Sloe Gin Fiz and an Aperol Spritzer. I also considered a few coffee cocktails like an Espresso Martini (The Retiree’s Coffee Break). I decided to go with the Aperol Spritzer for a few reasons, 1) I had never heard of it and/or had one until this year and 2) We both had never been to Italy until this year and Aperol is an Italian bitter liqueur, and 3) It’s a beautiful and bright orange sunset color. Viola!

• Ice
• 3 ounces Aperol
• 3 ounces Prosecco
• 1 ounce club soda or unflavored sparkling water
• Orange slice, for garnish
• Stirred

Spanish Sunrise Sangria

Last but certainly not least is the Spanish Sunrise Sangria to commemorate our move to Spain. Once we found and moved into our “forever” apartment, my new favorite thing is waking up and watching the sunrise while writing or working on my blog. It’s so beautiful and inspiring with its pinkish-orange hues against the light blue sky.

Mint Simple Syrup: Combine 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 cup packed mint leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let syrup steep, about 30 minutes. Use a mesh strainer to strain the mint leaves before adding to the pitcher.

• Mint simple syrup
• 1 cup grapefruit juice
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 to 2 mini bottle(s) of Cava (to taste), preferably pink Cava
• Ice
• Garnish: orange or grapefruit half wheels and fresh mint sprigs

Mix all together in small sangria pitcher. Add an orange or grapefruit half wheel and a fresh mint sprig to each glass. Serves approximately 2 to 4 if using one mini Cava bottle.

Honorable mentions:

Blasting Thru (Burnt Sky)

This fangirl got to meet and interview Instagram-er SnackChat Live. If you’re not familiar with his logo, just imagine his avatar sitting on a rocketship, blasting through a food-filled sky while orbiting around the world. I didn’t get the chance to make a cocktail in his honor but I did find this picture that inspired and reminded me of him. Hopefully, by the time he travels this way again, I’ll have a customized cocktail at the ready.